A Case of Subctaneous Abscess due to Mycobacterium fortuitum

Abstract

A 21-year-old healthy Japanese woman developed an abscess on the right lower leg. There was no regional lymphoadenopathy. A large number of acid-fast bacterium were observed in a puss smear (Gaffky score: 7). An atypical acid-fast bacterium was isolated from the pus and confirmed to be mycobacterium fortuitum. The patient was then successfully treated with oral minomycin. Ten Japanese cases of previously reported cutaneous mycobacteriosis due to mycobacterium fortuitum, including our case, were reviewed and analysed briefly, especially in regard to clinical characteristics and treatments.